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Of the 93 discharges, 17 were rehoused by nomination for housing
allocated to this Council by the Greater London Council, 28 were rehoused
by the Council, 21 were assisted to find accommodation, and 27
found their own accommodation.
The casework approach of the family caseworkers is based principally
on three main conditions:-
(a) Acceptance by the families of their financial responsibility,
regular payment of charges, proper budgeting, and the payment
of any outstanding debts including rent arrears.
(b) Ensuring that the family can maintain themselves in close
living conditions by training the parents into good
standards of child care, i.e. correct feeding, adequate
clothing and reasonable discipline; appreciation of the
value of regular school attendance, and a constant care of
the health and well-being of the family.
(c) Acceptance by the husband of the need to secure and maintain
himself in full time employment. Encouragement and assistance
is given in all the foregoing when necessary.
The response shown by families was encouraging and resulted in rehousing
being effected within a period of twelve months in most cases.
Examples of two such families are as follows:-
(1) A family consisting of a man, woman and one child returned
from Spain and took up residence in a Kensington hotel. When their
funds were exhausted they became homeless and it was necessary to
admit them to temporary accommodation. There were two other children
in Spain who later joined the family. This was a family with multiple
problems of great psychological and emotional depth. The man, a
skilled technician, had become emotionally insecure when in employment,
yet recognised he was of an age when employment was more difficult to
obtain. There was a history of tuberculosis and the marriage was in
danger of breaking up. An effort to obtain help through the man's
regimental association showed that he had been discharged with ignominy
and no help was forthcoming. Employment was eventually found for him
which was followed up by securing for him positions of progressively
greater significance. A thorough medical examination was arranged, the
result of which eased his mind. His wife was eventually also able to
secure employment and money was saved for eventual rehousing.
Intensive social work led to the promotion of a new understanding
between husband and wife, and parents and children, and ultimately to
mutual trust and confidence. This enabled the Department to obtain
employment and permanent housing in a New Town where the family will
no doubt continue to prosper.
(2) This family lived in London. The wife, a north country
woman, induced her husband to move north. He became unemployed, felt
he was not wanted and could not mix with the local people. Feeling
ill and depressed, the husband returned to London. The wife and two
children, aged 2 years and 4 years, followed later and the reverse
occurred. The wife could not settle in London, the husband was too
concerned about his health to obtain employment and the marriage was
at breaking point. The wife was so depressed that she developed
suicidal tendencies. The family were admitted into temporary
accommodation on eviction as unauthorised occupants. A hospital
appointment was made for the husband which proved his fitness for work
and he was then helped to find a secure position. After considerable
casework the wife also improved and found interest in part-time
employment. The family became financially sound and benefited
accordingly. The children became settled and the family more united.
They were later rehoused near the husband's place of employment where
they will no doubt settle and prosper.